Washington State University is engaged in a major expansion in the field of molecular and materials sciences. Consequently, the University's extensive and modern facilities for research in the chemical and biochemical sciences are continually improving. Major facilities at the School of Molecular Biosciences include:

The Center for Reproductive Biology is an inter-institutional program involving 16 departments and seven colleges at Washington State University and the University of Idaho. The Center’s main objective is straightforward: to provide opportunities for investigators from across the Pacific Northwest to collaborate and learn from one another. The Center boasts a large membership at the two core institutions (WSU and UI), but also includes a number of members at other affiliated universities. Altogether, the Center now includes approximately 100 faculty and over 400 trainees and staff and is one of the largest reproductive biology centers in the world.

Center for NMR Spectroscopy

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) center was established with an investment of close to $2 million by the University and federal agencies. Equipment includes a Varian VXR-500 liquid-state 500 MHz NMR spectrometer, a Chemagnetics CMX-400 solid-state 400 MHz wide-bore NMR spectrometer, a Bruker AMX-300 routine hands-on liquid-state 300 MHz NMR spectrometer, and for off-line data processing a number of Silicon Graphics UNIX work stations. The center can be reached by calling (509) 335-3005. The director of the NMR Center is Norm Lewis.

Laboratory for Biotechnology and Bioanalysis

The Molecular Biology and Genomics Core began here at WSU back in the early 1990’s and to some extent still is referred to as The Laboratory for Biotechnology and Bioanalysis or LBB1. This core was established as a service center and to provide access to instrumentation that proved to be cost prohibitive for individual labs to purchase on their own. Over the past 20 years, with the assistance of the Center for Reproductive Biology, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, NIH and others the core lab has evolved into a state of the art service facility.

The core lab is directed by Dr. Michael Griswold in the School of Molecular Biosciences and currently has 4 full time personnel. The facilities are housed in two separate laboratories in the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Building (rooms 127 and 227). We have a multitude of services and instrumentation available in the fields of molecular biology, genomics as well as proteomincs. If you have any questions about our services or facilities please feel free to ask.

A state-of-the-art X-ray crystallographic facilities for macromolecule structure determination are available for use by graduate students. Included are rotating anode generator with mirror optics, imaging plate, diffractomer, computer facilities and graphics. The director of the BXR Center is ChulHee Kang. You can learn more from the website.

The FMIC is a research and training facility for the study of biological and non-biological materials. The FMIC provides electron microscopy and light microscopy equipment for observation and analysis of a diverse array of specimens. Students, faculty and staff can access the FMIC for formal and informal training, and for conducting research through flexible conditions designed to ensure success in acquiring and analyzing specimen images. The center offers courses in electron microscopy for graduate and undergraduate students each semester.

The FMIC maintains two TEMs, a STEM, a SEM and various light microscopes. Three of the electron microscopes also have EDX analyzers for elemental analysis. All necessary ancillary equipment, computers for image processing and analysis, and three photographic darkrooms are also maintained for student and faculty use. The center provides project consultation and has a skilled staff capable of assisting students and faculty in a wide range of research projects. Faculty and students are welcome to visit the FMIC located on the ground floor of Abelson Hall. Inquiries about services and courses offered or class tours of the facilities can be made by calling (509) 335-3025. The director is Michael Knoblauch.

University facilities also include the NMR with a one-megawatt nuclear research reactor, a cobalt-60 irradiator, and a 14-MeV neutron generator for fast-neutron activation analysis, the Water Research center, the Air Pollution Research Unit and the Electron Microscopy Center. Cooperative research projects with the Molecular Science Research Center (MSRC) of Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories at Richland, Washington, provide opportunities for additional access to very well equipped facilities. Advanced communication links support interaction with scientists at this Department of Energy research and development site.

The University's modern seven-story Owen Science and Engineering Library is adjacent to the main chemistry and biochemistry facilities and contains extensive holdings in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical physics, and related fields. The library also provides access to national literature search and interlibrary loan services. The library is open 16 hours a day.